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Just bought a pre war (21xxx) 16 gauge Ithaca 37R with a 30" full choke barrel. The shotgun is in very nice condition and some of you may have seen it on gunbroker. Was told it had an old Hawkins pad, which it had and that the LOP was 13 3/8. It actually measured 13", so about 2" of the stock was cut. I have added a leather wrap on pad which gets it to 13 1/2". I doubt I could find a stock to match so would a 12 gauge stock fit? Hoping to find a rough gun with an original stock that I could switch. 12 gauge would increase my chances but I don't want it if won't work.

Joined: 03 Feb 2014 Posts: 325 Location: West Texas

Check this out. It says the 16 ga. M37 stock is discontinued but another listing for 12/16 gauge. Might call them. Stocks are rough finished they need sanding and whatever finish you want. Be worth a call to find out.

I got a M31 butt stock from them and tru-oiled it. Turned out nice.

http://www.gunstocksinc.com/web_pages/Plate-pics/Ithaca-Stocks/Itaca-stocks.htm

Thank you. Will check it out.

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/ad/197490.htm#812450

good deal here

Thank you for that info

Joined: 09 Dec 2012 Posts: 691

A 12 ga stock will Not fit without quite a bit of work. The 3 Ithaca receivers (12,16,20) differed in the height of the receiver. There is a little over a 1/16" difference (IIRC) (could be an 1/8" it has been a while since I measured it and I simply don't remember at this point).

If you want to turn it into a shooter, get a block of walnut and glue an extension on to bring it back to length.

Lacking that, watch eBay for 16ga stocks.

OR,

if you can be patient a while, I probably have a late 50's 16ga stock I could sell or trade (depending on the condition of the rest of that stock).

the problem is that I just had shoulder surgery on the 5th and I am not going to go digging through my stuff and putting a coat of lacquer on the wood (I think I was rehabbing/restoring it) (hard enough typing, I go see the dr on the 18th)

be aware, that the drop on the pre-wars is different than on the post wars. Some find them better to shoot.

those stocks that have been cut down make excellent youth / ladies stocks. while I was still actively restoring/building for my wife and kid (Ithaca 37 16's) I would grab cut up ones whenever I could.

Thank you very much for your response. After shooting with the leather recoil pad, it seems to fit me at 13 1/2", plus the leather pad is kind of classy looking.

I'm betting far less than 2" was cut. These older Model 37 pumps have shorter OEM factory stocks and more drop to comb than modern stocks. Most are under 14" unless they are custom. It's why so many folks have trouble with them until they monkey with the fit. But once the stocks are fitted, the guns shoot spot on. At least mine does.

I've got some 50's 37's, and although they are smooth this one seems even smoother.

Pretty sure I recall that Nick Hammack recommended shooting a shorter stock. I shoot my 12 ga. Model 90 with a 13-3/4" stock as well or better than my other guns, many of which have 14-1/4 to 14-1/2" stocks. (I am 5'10" with 34-35" sleeve length.)

PHE:
Your a gun hound and you know it! You can't pass up a classic, I know, you told me! Good find! How do you like the Vent rib?

B-Va: How's that A5, I'm betting it smokes the clays!